Just when you thought it was safe to write the Red Sox off. They turn in essentially a weeks' worth of DOMINATING starting performances, John Lackey Aside, and win 5 of their last 6 to put them only 2.5 games out of a wildcard spot. I realize that May hasn't even ended yet but Tampa looks to be on a collision course with Destiny to win the AL East, so I think the Wildcard would be a solid goal at this point.
Who was this Daisuke Matsuzaka guy that pitched on Saturday, and when did we sign him. I remember this other Japanese guy that every fifth day sort of Rollie-Pollied his way out to the mound for about 3 and 2/3 innings and after 700 pitches he'd call it a day. But whomever this guy was. I like him. No I don't just like him I respect him. The real question though is what to do behind the plate when MatsuWalka starts. The splits between the two catchers per start is downright scary. Dice-K's ERA is under 1 when Varitek catches him and over 7 when Martinez catches him. Francona won't put a stamp on "personal catchers" but what other choice does he have at this point? Every time Varitek catches him all of his pitches seem to have extra life, bite, and break and he dominates teams. We almost have no choice but to get the most out of what I was/am almost ready to call a bust. But if he can turn this season into a respectable 15-win affair, I have no choice but to call it a success thus far and last season was an aberration.
Tim, Timmy, Timmah, who's got the keys to my Beamah? I'm not going to lie I went in thinking we had to take the first two games of the Philadelphia series because I was saying there is absolutely no way Shakey Wakey was going to out duel Doc, but holy Christ did Wakefield just teabag the shit out of the Phillies lineup yesterday. 8 MASTERFUL innings. I honestly thought he was too old to get out there and walk up the dugout steps 8 times a game let alone pitch that well. So this is pitching depth eh? I like it a lot *said in my Bruce Almighty voice*.
Remember how I said that the Yankees would finally show their age? Bitch what's up now. They are in a horrible tailspin lately with Posada out over a month, Rivera was banged up but he's back to being immortal, Jeter is struggling for the first time in YEARS at the plate. And Pettite is VERY hittable despite his sterling numbers. Teixeira isn't hitting, and now fortunately for the Sox, he's pressing. He's trying to swing too hard to hit 6 home runs with one swing and its killing him every time. The Best player on their team right now is Robinson Cano, whom I ever so slyly picked to win the AL Batting Title, and that's not good since he's your 9th highest paid player. They are going to fall and it could be soon, since the rest of the league is starting to figure out CC. Burnett is hit or miss and will be until he starts losing velocity. He'll go out there with no-hit capability every time he steps out on the mound but when you get to him you'll get to him hard. Phil Hughes however has finally lived up to the hype that was surrounding him for the better part of 5 years. He's dominating out on the mound and he's pitching like the ace of the staff.
We now end our tumultuous 13 game stretch of playing all playoff caliber/Division leading teams with the Rays before our schedule lightens up immensely and we can really get back into this division. But we're going to go out there with Buchholz Lester and Lackey. Our 3 best pitchers all things considered thus far and if we can take 2 out of 3, we will be in phenomenal shape. We would have gone 8-5 in our most difficult stretch of the season and that's pretty impressive considering the quality of opponents that we played in the last 2 weeks. And I'm back on the Wildcard Bandwagon.
Stay Tuned
Ryan
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